Grip - or more like the lack of it.

Hi all.

I've recently upgraded to a 2007 SV650s after a year on a baby CBR125R. Unfortunately the weather hasn't exactly been great this last few weeks so I've only had a couple of chances to ride it however I've got 2 questions.

1) My tyres just feel crap, really slippery and the slightest touch of the rear brake locks up the tyre (I haven't been stupid enough to try locking the front for obvious reasons). Due to this I'm afraid to ride the bike properly as I'm concerned that the tyres will just slip away from underneath me when I corner. The rear tyre has a decent amount of tread (3-4mm maybe) and the front has a bit less (maybe 2mm), they're not squared off or anything. The bike has only done 6000 miles and I imagine that the tyres are the originals (or at least the front is) so could it just be that the fact that they might be 3 years old combined with the cold weather makes them feel like plastic?

2) The front suspension feels like it's bottoming out on the big lumps and bumps around the streets of Bristol. When I go over a lump the front end clunks. Any ideas?

[yorkie_chris]

The OE tyres aren't brilliant, I like avon storms, they give good grip when cold and wet compared to most others.

The feeling that the front suspension is bottoming is likely caused by the front suspension bottoming . Change oil and springs will help a lot, best option is a GSXR front end or cartridge conversion.

[andrewsmith]

EDIT: Backing YC's response up! Cartridge conversions are the way to go!

Welcome to the club! Learned my SV through the winter (I won't do it again- Yes I'm being Ghey!!!!) and your having V. similar issues to me last year.

1) If its a Metzeler tire (i think on pointies) its OE , and they are horrendous and are stupidly hard. Spend a bit cash when the weather improves and get a modern sports touring tire. My preference is Dunlop Roadsmarts (the most preferred rubber is Avon Storm 2's).

With how cold and bad the weather is rear locks up so easy on downshifts (with OE tires) and under braking

2) Stock SV suspension is designed for a fag packet weight Japanese rider. They all clunk nothing to be worried about.
Allow some money for refreshing the front with heavier linea springs and 10W or 15W fork oil

[jambo]

The clunk might be the forks bottoming out if you're hard on the brakes at the time, from what you've described though I'd say it's more likely to be the fork clunk you get when you hit a sharp bump with the standard damper rod forks (I have stiffer springs and thicker oil and still get this).

The tyres may well be past their best by the point of having 2mm left but play around with pressures a little before writing them off completely. I tend to run 36psi front, 42psi rear, but in this cold weather the standard 33 front, 36 rear will probably suit better.

And mostly, gently does it

Jambo

[andrewsmith]

Originally Posted by jambo

The tyres may well be past their best by the point of having 2mm left but play around with pressures a little before writing them off completely. I tend to run 36psi front, 42psi rear, but in this cold weather the standard 33 front, 36 rear will probably suit better.

And mostly, gently does it

Jambo

Definitely gently as you go!

Slight Hi-jack Jambo; you not find 42psi rear way too hard, I run 38psi max?

Sounds like it's not just me being totally crap then, that's reassuring to know

I think I'll limit my riding to nice days (if there are any) over Winter and splash out on a nice new set of tyres come Feb time.

What's the easiest and cheapest suspension upgrade then? I don't really want to mess around with GSXR swaps so which springs/oil should I be considering and how much is it to get sorted?

[andrewsmith]

YC is the best person to speak about cartridge conv prices

A refresh done at mechanics is about £110 and parts about £100
Firstly what do you weigh?

[jambo]

Originally Posted by andrewsmith

1) If its a Metzeler tire (i think on pointies) its OE , and they are horrendous and are stupidly hard. Spend a bit cash when the weather improves and get a modern sports touring tire. My preference is Dunlop Roadsmarts (the most preferred rubber is Avon Storm 2's).

I believe the Dunlop D220 is the OE tyre from 2003 onwards. I've ridden on them and they're no where near as bad as many people make out.

Originally Posted by andrewsmith

Definitely gently as you go!

Slight Hi-jack Jambo; you not find 42psi rear way too hard, I run 38psi max?

Depends what you're used to, the ZX6R runs 36/42 and the same tyre types are on the SV. I don't like low pressures, makes the bike feel sluggish to turn and hold a line. I prefer higher pressures than most even on the track, it's a personal preference. I also think it helps the tyres last longer.

I have discovered that I'm fairly un-fussy about brands but prefer my pressures high. Other people will disagree with me and say tyre brand is all-important, and low pressures are better. Both have found a setup they're happy with

Jambo

[yorkie_chris]

The biggest expense for a mechanic to do it is the actual removal of the forks from the bike, if you can do this yourself you save a fortune.

12 1/2 stone, 6ft tall so I'm not exactly huge.

Is the suspension clonks just something that most people live with? Should I just get used to it rather than start messing with the bike?